Details

29 May 2024

USA - DraftKings’ new Sportsbook facility has opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, featuring 3,400sq.ft of video walls driven by two tvONE CORIOmaster2 video processors. For the first time ever, two powerful CORIOmaster2 units are being ‘cascaded’ to offer DraftKings more inputs and outputs.

Constructed during 2023, the Scottsdale DraftKings Sportsbook is located adjacent to the 36-hole TPC Scottsdale golf complex. The modern building offers 13,000sq.ft of indoor space, which includes 32 betting kiosks, six windows to place bets, and wraparound LED screens, allowing customers to watch live sports action and related video from practically any seat or space.

Agility AVL’s Art Martinez and his team were engaged to specify and install a complete AV solution for the project, designing and delivering audio, LED, control, video processing and displays.

Details

29 May 2024

Greece - The Royal & Imperial Belvedere Resort in Chersónisos, Crete, has had its Blue Lounge - pool bar, pool area, lobby and exterior revamped. Highlite's exclusive distributor Sivko Electronics and their regional partner George Solakis were entrusted with the design, supply and implementation.

When Sivko Electronics' partner in the Chersónisos region, George Solakis, contacted them to supply the appropriate equipment for a refurbishment of the Royal & Imperial Belvedere Resort, they immediately switched into high gear to get the project off the ground. George Solakis and crew member Pantelis Nathenas designed the concept, while Kostas Poulis and Sivko Electronics supplied the equipment. Programming was entrusted to Lefteris Katakis.

The redesign also included the external appearance of the hotel, for which they added architectural lighti

Details

28 May 2024

UK - boxxtoff is a new flightcase design and manufacturing company based in Manchester and part of the tube uk community. It is a fully autonomous operation producing ‘practical bespoke casing solutions for all types of production related kit’.

Dave Peacock – well-known on the Manchester flightcase scene – heads up the new enterprise, bringing around 35 years industry experience, contacts and an inventive approach to case making.

After a successful career and running several businesses, Dave took a break from the world of flightcasing and joined the team at tube uk two years ago.

Dave initially offered to make a couple of ingenious cases for tube’s Pioneer CDJ kits as a bit of a side hustle, which proved to be “simply fantastic products designed by someone who knows exactly what those using them need to make life simple and keep e

Details

28 May 2024

UK - The Profile Awards theatre category shortlist in association with the ABTT and the ALPD and sponsored by Chauvet, Elation, ETC, Fix8group, GLP, SLX, TSL and Vari-Lite, has been confirmed.

The shortlisted lighting designers for theatre are:

Robbie Butler for Death in Venice, Welsh National Opera and tour

Emma Chapman for The Third Man, Menier Chocolate Factory

Jon Clark for Dear England, and The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre & West End; The Effect, National Theatre; Stranger Things – The First Shadow, West End

Paule Constable for Guys and Dolls, The Bridge

Lee Curran for Romeo and Juliet, The Almeida and King Lear, The Almeida

Jon Driscoll for Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, English National Opera

Oli

Details

28 May 2024

UK - The Fly By Nite team and the wider industry has been paying tribute to the company’s founder and managing director David Coumbe who passed away, aged 68, on 17 May after a short illness.

“David’s passing has come as a huge shock to the Fly By Nite team and the wider live events and touring community. We would like to thank all those who have reached out over the last few days to offer their condolences at this sad time, the outpouring of love and support we have received from across the industry has helped us through this difficult period,” says the company. “David was a much-loved colleague and highly respected leader, whose vision helped to build the foundations of the company’s long-term success.”

Since its foundation in 1989, Coumbe had grown Fly By Nite into one of the world’s largest music production and logistics businesse

Details

28 May 2024

UK - Ministry of Sound Classical at the Royal Albert Hall featured a set list inspired by the popular Ministry of Sound Annual Volume II. Released in 1996, the album remains one of the biggest selling dance compilations ever made and is performed on stage by the 50-piece RG Live London Concert Orchestra with guest synth players and vocalists.

Sound designer Phil Wright chose a DiGiCo Quantum 338 for the front of house position and a Quantum 225 for on stage monitoring due to their powerful processing and compact footprints.

“Audiences don’t realise that the songs they love are all sampled from classical orchestrations, so when they hear them played by a real orchestra they’re blown away,” Wright states. “They really go crazy and that’s testament to the work of Tom Player, the creative lead behind bringing the orchestrations to th

Details

28 May 2024

UK - Entec Live has extended its long-term partnership with d&b audiotechnik by making a substantial investment in its large format three-way GSL line array system.

Entec head of sound, Dan Scantlebury, a long-term advocate of the brand, authorised the purchase of a significant system to complement their existing, smaller footprint KSL system. They have boosted their hire fleet with the addition of 32 GSL8 enclosures and eight GSL12, while at the same time adding a further 14 SL Subwoofers. Completing the purchase is an additional 28 D80s, taking their inventory of these powerful four-channel amplifiers into the hundreds.

Explaining the rationale, Scantlebury said the decision became axiomatic once he was convinced that the rental company would have the workflow to support such a level of investment. In the event, the new system was shipped out i

Details

28 May 2024

USA - Robe has announced the passing of Craig Burross, chief sales officer at Robe Lighting Inc. A statement posted on the company’s social media channels reads: “It is with complete devastation and with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of beloved industry veteran Craig Burross.

“From his early career at High End Systems, to his work with Vari-Lite, Craig most recently served as the Chief Sales Officer for Robe Lighting, Inc. where his passion for the entertainment production industry made him one of the most recognized and respected members of our industry.

“Away from the office, Craig was a husband, father, and grandfather to a family whom he loved dearly. His wife Kat was often by his side at industry events, and his son Chase is also a member of the Robe North America team.

“When speaking about Craig, one can hones

Details

28 May 2024

Italy - The Marina Fountain is the latest addition to Palermo Marina Yachting Park. Every evening the lake transforms into a stage, showcasing majestic water and light choreography set to captivating music.

RCF has provided a centrally installed audio system on the lake to ensure optimal sound enjoyment along the entire promenade. The Marina Fountain is named after the mermaid child from Gianni Rodari's story, The Mermaid of Palermo, a tale of love and inclusion. The mermaid is embraced by a poor fisherman's family in Palermo, where she unveils her remarkable talent for telling stories, "from all peoples and all times". Similarly, the Marina Fountain enchants passersby, visitors, and the workers of the Port of Palermo with its magical display.

The fountain project was commissioned by Cler - Cooperative of Roman Electrical Workers - and creat

Details

28 May 2024

USA - Brown Note Productions, the Denver-area company specialising in 360º full-service production for concerts, tours, music festivals and special events, has invested in 150 Ayrton Rivale Profiles. The new fixtures were quickly dispatched for two back-to-back dates at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison for dance music star Black Coffee and artist Illenium.

The IP65-rated Ayrton Rivale Profile projector delivers creativity, subtlety and power – the most versatile fixture created by Ayrton to date. It offers ‘unprecedented’ performance for its size and weight and features continuous rotation of the pan and tilt movement.

“We already have Ayrton Diablos, MagicPanel FX and Perseos in our inventory and were looking for additional fixtures in a smaller form factor than Perseo,” says Brown Note president Ryan Knutson. “I spend a lot of ti

Details

28 May 2024

The Netherlands - In late April, CAS Exhibition Partners took delivery of 250 KL PAR FC LED PAR lights from Elation for use in the leading exhibition contractor’s many stand builds across Europe.

Useful in setting the ambiance of an exhibition stand, reinforcing a theme, and adding depth and dimension to enhance the overall visual appeal of a space, the new full-colour-spectrum lights can also play more functional roles like highlighting products, signage and displays. Either way, the KL PAR FC’s high colour quality and adaptability will serve to captivate visitors and reinforce brand imaging for CAS customers.

CAS Exhibition Partners offers full-service exhibition build services and takes pride in their commitment to innovation and improvement. That dedication includes ensuring the overall quality of stand lighting by maintaining their own high-

Details

28 May 2024

UK - LSI Projects has announced the passing of its business development manager, Richard Bunting. A statement from the company reads: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Richard Bunting, our esteemed business development manager. Richard's unexpected departure has left us all in shock and mourning, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working with him.”

Richard joined LSI Projects in 2005, bringing a wealth of industry experience and a passion for the industry in which he had been involved in for more than 30 years.

The statement continues: “Richard was a respected colleague and an inspiration to many. His ability to build strong relationships, both within the team and with our clients, supply chain and the consultant community, was unparalleled, helping LSI solidify its reputation as a truste

Details

28 May 2024

Poland - Rental company Gondek Sound provided the audio infrastructure and sound design for Dreamstate, one of the largest trance music festivals in Eastern Europe.

Held at the PreZero Arena Gliwice, one of the largest and most modern multipurpose entertainment venues in Poland, the event attracted over 15,000 fans from around the globe.

Dreamstate Europe 2024 featured an impressive lineup of international and local artists, spanning ‘various subgenres from uplifting to psytrance, progressive to tech’.

Headliners included ATB, atDusk, Ben Gold, Craig Connelly B2B Factor B, Electric Universe presents Laser Harp, Giuseppe Ottaviani, John 00 Fleming, Joint Operations Centre, Robbie Seed, Will Atkinson, and Yoshi & Razner presents Genesis, among others.

Gondek Sound designed and deployed an Outline audio system comprising GTO C-12

Details

28 May 2024

UK - The Production Futures mission to create opportunities for young people to learn, train, network and develop real careers in production, was brought into focus recently when Peter Bird, last year’s winner of its Breakthrough Award for Lighting Newcomer, took charge of designing the lighting for the organisation’s PF Talks stage at its Manchester On Tour event.

Peter, who is studying theatre and performance technology at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, collaborated by invitation with supplier Lights Control Rigging (LCR) to deliver lights for the focal point of the event which took place at the AO Arena. Steve Bliss led the LCR project team and takes up the story:

“We were approached by Production Futures to provide the main stage lighting package for their biggest show yet at the AO Arena in Manchester. We had an initial video

Details

28 May 2024

Technical Academy - Producers of West End musical Moulin Rouge! have launched a technical academy for 15-25-year-olds as they open the door to the show’s backstage world for the second year running. Both initiatives respond to concerns from arts organisations about skills shortages in the industry, particularly in offstage roles.

The inaugural Get Technical! Academy, a free 10-week "immersive technical programme" beginning on 2 July, will allow young participants hands-on training in lighting, sound, automation, stage management and working as part of a backstage crew. Participants aged 18 plus will also be offered an additional extra week to meet members of the company management team to "explore the soft skills needed to launch their technical theatre career".

Meanwhile, the Get Technical! event, piloted last August, will be reprised on

Details

24 May 2024

Brazil - A colossal 624-loudspeaker concert sound system powered by 212 amplified controllers projected the Queen of Pop to the largest audience ever assembled for a standalone concert.

“Madonna is a creature of comfort and habit, so the first and foremost challenge of mixing her sound is to recreate her experience exactly, night to night, venue to venue, on every stage. That’s where L-Acoustics made all the difference,” shares Madonna’s FOH engineer, Burton Ishmael. He’s been mixing for the star from October 2023, at the O2 Arena in London to the massive, record-breaking show on the beach in Rio de Janeiro on May 4, 2024, when an estimated 1.6m fans took in what Pollstar described as “the largest audience ever assembled for a standalone concert”.

The Celebration Tour, supplied by vendor Eighth Day Sound, a Clair Global brand, visited a

Details

24 May 2024

Sweden - The Eurovision Song Contest, a broadcast seen by over 160m people worldwide, relies on wireless DMX. When Creative Technology, official event supplier, reached out to discuss the challenges of this year’s production, the LumenRadio team along with its OEM partners jumped into action.

Eurovision deployed seven Steadicams and shoulder cams to capture the performance for the broadcast. Each camera was equipped with Aputure MC Pro battery powered pocket lights that featured LumenRadio’s TimoTwo OEM modules for their DMX data reception.

With the concert-style lighting constantly changing, the cameras needed to have an adjustable light source to maintain the video quality being captured. Controlling them wirelessly allowed for full movement of the Steadicam Ops, freeing them to focus on getting the best shot. Using cables was never an option

Details

24 May 2024

Australia - The 2024 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival celebrated some of the best of Australian fashion design with a main show space at the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne – recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a prime example of 19th century international exhibition architecture.

All Lighting and AV equipment for the week-long festival was supplied by full production services provider, Harry the Hirer Productions led by technical producer Marcus Pugh.

He worked closely with lighting designer Hugh Taranto who used 28 x Robe Esprites to craft a flexible lighting aesthetic for the space that would deliver great looking shows for all the diverse and different collections.

The event also featured numerous associated off-site shows, business-related seminars, workshops, entertainment, and music performances across the c

Details

24 May 2024

Côte d'Ivoire - Located in Port-Bouet on the Atlantic coast of West Africa's Côte d'Ivoire, the Abidjan Exhibition Centre is the largest exhibition centre in West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, with a capacity of 6,000-seated and 10,000 standing.

Designed by architect, Pierre Fakhoury, it first opened its doors in July 2023 to host trade shows, fairs and major events in the region. Its elegant sweeping exterior is matched by its advanced technology within. Its halls are equipped with a consignment of Ayrton Zonda 9 FX, Eurus and Huracán LED fixtures, specified by G.S.L lighting designer, Guillaume Sarrouy and supplied by PFO Construction and the State of Ivory Coast for installation by G.S.L of Avignon, France.

G.S.L. explains the reasons for its choice of Ayrton fixtures: “G.S.L. has worked with Ayrton products on several occasions and we find

Details

24 May 2024

UK - Stage Electrics has joined forces with Admiral Staging to deliver a key enhancement to Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena. Together, they have developed and implemented a new, dynamic disability viewing platform, significantly improving accessibility and convenience for patrons at one of the UK's foremost event venues.

The collaboration between Stage Electrics and Admiral Staging was initiated when Resorts World Arena sought a solution to enhance the mobility of their existing disability viewing platform. Recognising the challenges posed by the platform's weight and immobility, Stage Electrics' resident staging expert, Mike Clarke, devised a tailored solution to address the client's needs effectively.

Mike Clarke comments, "Our team's dedication to finding innovative solutions is at the heart of what we do. We were thrilled to provide the team a